BioLineRx Licenses Oncology Drug Candidate from the University of Illinois

BioLineRx has obtained rights from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a small molecule anticancer candidate, BL-4030. "BL-4030, developed by Professor Paul J. Hergenrother from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois, holds a promise of delivering personalized medicine to treat multiple types of cancer," according to Roger W. VanHoy, senior technology manager, office of technology management at the university.

The exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement grants BioLineRx rights for the research, development, and commercialization of BL-4030. The drug induces apoptosis by activating a protein called procaspase 3.

"The in-licensing of BL-4030 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign also marks our first collaboration with a U.S. university,” states Morris C. Laster, M.D., CEO of BioLineRx. “We feel this is an additional validation of the drug development platform we have created, and look forward to expanding our ties with the research community in the U.S. by in-licensing additional promising candidates."